Montreal Canadiens: Top 5 Biggest Disappointments Of The Season

#4 – Josh Anderson

Anderson went without a goal in his first 24 games to start the year. That alone is enough to call him a disappointment. The hope that when one finally went in, the floodgates would open also did not come to fruition.  The one-time 27 goal scorer is stuck on seven goals for the year and has not looked like the dominant power forward we have seen flashes of in the past.

It certainly hasn’t been from a lack of chances either. Anderson got numerous looks on the PP1 and was not able to take advantage. He also spent large chunks of the season flanking top pivot Nick Suzuki to no avail. Anderson has since ceded those roles to Juraj Slafkovksy, who is flourishing.

Like Allen, what makes matters worse is that Anderson is not going anywhere. With three years remaining on his contract at a 5.5 million AAV, it appears that big number 17 will continue to roam the wing in bleu-blanc-rouge for years to come.

At least in Anderson’s case, one can cling to the hope that he will get his touch back because the 29-year-old has not lost a step at all. He continues to be an elite skater. The same cannot be said for the next guy on our list.

#3 – Brendan Gallagher

The decline is real for Gally. For those of you still hoping for a bounce back, don’t hold your breath. The heart and soul winger is mired in another difficult year, sitting on eight goals for the season. A far cry from the two 30-goal campaigns he delivered in his prime. This is no longer just a trend, it has become Gallagher’s reality.

The only good news for Gallagher is that he managed to stay healthy. His game has not aged well and it’s gotten so bad that he often resorts to taking lazy penalties and is currently serving a five game suspension for a dirty hit. Not exactly role model material.

I love Gally as much as the next guy and I’m sure his intentions are good but it’s getting difficult to watch. Unfortunately, in keeping with the pattern, he is another player whose contract keeps him in Montreal for the foreseeable future.

The two biggest letdown players of the year are in a bit of a different boat because while they were less proven than the veterans above, Habs fans were hoping they were integral parts of the short term future.